Yesterday was quite different for Douglas County School System students. Schools across the county participated in Principal 4 A Day and each school had a new “principal” in their school. This program is a partnership between the Douglas County Chamber and Douglas County School System.

“Principal 4 a Day” is a program adopted by Douglas County School System Superintendent Dr. Gordon Pritz and Chamber President and CEO Kali Boatright in 2011. This program allowed members of the business community to visit one of the 33 schools, the Douglas County College and Career Institute and the Performance Learning Center in Douglas County and shadow the principal for a half day. Guest principals were exposed to the many exciting programs offered in the schools as well as gaining first-hand insight into the challenges that schools face on a daily basis.

Principal Cher Algarin, Dorsett Shoals Elementary, commented "Associate Judge Michelle Harrison was a joy to have visiting Dorsett Shoals Elementary School. She was able to see first-hand the holiday feast and a Kindergarten class performing a Thanksgiving play. Judge Harrison seemed to enjoy meeting several members of the faculty and staff and was able to see the many facets of the day in the life of an Elementary Principal.”

Participants experienced how hands on and involved each principal is in their school; “We walked from one end of that school to the other at least times, visited classrooms and got to meet with students on their thoughts on the operations of the school,” commented Chris Acker from Metro Bank who visited Alexander High School. John Scherer from Computer Helper visited South Douglas Elementary and praised Principal Casey Duffey by saying “South Douglas students are not intimidated at all by seeing him (Duffey) in the classrooms, they are comfortable and enjoy having him visit and therefore it doesn’t make things like classroom evaluations a disruption. He is a fantastic leader and the kids are genuinely excited to be at school!”

While this program is for members of the business community, other members of the Douglasville and Douglas County community will have the opportunity to participate in the second portion of this program, “Teacher 4 a Day” on March 31, 2015.

For more information on Principal 4 A Day or Teacher 4 A Day, visit the Chamber website at www.douglascountygeorgia.com or the Douglas County School System website at www.douglas.k12.ga.us or contact Sara Ray at 770.942.5022 or Karen Stroud at 770-651-2037.